sgraber
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| posted on 10/3/04 at 10:04 PM |
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See what I've started...
See the green wire-lines that start to form the outline of the body in these renderings?
Just wanted to record the day that work shifted from chassis to body. 
 
Bala Wire render
[img][/img]
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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Hellfire
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| posted on 10/3/04 at 10:12 PM |
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Very nice...
a bit worried about the axles tho'  won't the corners 'round off'?
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Alan B
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| posted on 10/3/04 at 10:17 PM |
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There ya go.....
Bodywork is easy...
Good start.....
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flak monkey
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| posted on 10/3/04 at 10:26 PM |
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Looking fantastic , very impressive!
BTW what CAD software are you using and what are you rendering it in
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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pbura
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| posted on 10/3/04 at 10:41 PM |
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Yee-hah!
Just stopped by for some virtual tire kickin' 
ROCK ON!!!
Pete
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rontyler
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| posted on 11/3/04 at 01:34 AM |
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Steve,
I don't know If I like the body or not... I can't see it ;-) However, your modeling skills have me in a drool. Fess up... what
program?
Regards, Ron Tyler
"Nothing is ever accomplished by a reasonable man."
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sgraber
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| posted on 11/3/04 at 04:44 AM |
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Well thanks ya'll. I've made some more progress on the skinning, but will wait to post an image until something more to my liking is
achieved.
Everything you see was modeled in 3DS-MAX 6.0.
I built just enough of the frame to allow me to place the bodywork on top of it.
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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sgraber
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| posted on 12/3/04 at 12:16 AM |
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It's coming along well. Slow, but well.
 
Side Render Low Front
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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sgraber
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| posted on 12/3/04 at 12:20 AM |
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And this one's still a little rough, but coming along...
 
Body Render Front 1/4 view
Comments about the shape of what is visible now? before I get too far along?
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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rontyler
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| posted on 12/3/04 at 12:56 AM |
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"Comments about the shape of what is visible now? before I get too far along?"
Um... looks better than my car ;-)
Regards, Ron Tyler
"Nothing is ever accomplished by a reasonable man."
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pbura
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| posted on 12/3/04 at 01:38 AM |
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quote:
Comments about the shape of what is visible now? before I get too far along?
Very awe-inspiring, Steve You're doing a beautiful job, truly.
But as long as you asked... 
Comparing to your avatar, the leading edge of the nose looks like it should be about an inch lower and 2" farther back (to me). This could just
be perspective. Also, I think the grill should slant back more, with maybe a little spoiler at the bottom? This would, IMO, take the focus off the
rather massive-looking lower front end, and shift attention upward.
I was thinking how sweet the rear would look with Ferrari Daytona lights, then realized that you're probably Ferraried out. I wish!
Here's a pic anyway:
 
Rescued attachment Rear.jpg
Pete
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sgraber
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| posted on 12/3/04 at 05:01 AM |
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Thanks Pete.
The front end designwork hasn't really been started yet. But good points! I will probably get a lot more finished this weekend.
The Ferrari taillights are a good idea. I am currently leaning towards the taillights from a Jeep liberty, rotated 90d. I have seen some nice looking
aftermarket units on ebay for decent cost.
Later,
Graber
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MazdaJim
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| posted on 12/3/04 at 06:34 AM |
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my $.02
I've not been an active participant in this forum so far but I'm a very avid lurker.
Graber, I've been following your work on this car for about as long as you've had it on the internet and I wanted to say first of all I
have a lot of admiration for what you've done.
Take my critique with a big chunky grain of salt...
I feel like the design of the La Bala as shown in your avatar has too many straight, nearly parrallel, lines defining the side plan view. This kinda
sucks character out of the design in my opinion. I also feel like the flat surface around the perimeter of the wheel well has become a design cliche
lately, showing up on too many concept cars.
I gave a gentle arc to the crease in the middle of your side intake to add some movement to the design, and made your
wheel-perimeter-frame-surface-crease kick out in front of the wheel.
Just little suggestions...
-James
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sgraber
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| posted on 15/3/04 at 07:23 PM |
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Thanks for the critique MazdaJim. I appreciate and understand what you are saying. I may try to rework that side strake after all.
Here is another, more complete rendering of the front end. This look is just one of several concepts I have underway for the front end. I'm
thinking that the black nostril area will be created out of Carbon Fiber/ Kevlar... Something stronger than Fiberglass.
What do you think?
 
Body Render New Grill Opening
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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Alan B
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| posted on 15/3/04 at 07:37 PM |
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Steve, it's coming on well..
Question...how easy it is it to extract sectional views from 3DS in order to create your station templates?
I know in Mech Desktop it is very easy (as in other solid modellers I'd guess), but with 3DS being more a visual/artistic kind of tool I
wondered if you can pull views/sections out of it..
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sgraber
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| posted on 15/3/04 at 07:57 PM |
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Alan, although MAX does not have any tools for outputing to print. It has a "section" tool that allows me make section outlines across my
entire model into new shapes. I will then render these section outlines as images and print them from photoshop.
Kinda convoluted, but the modeling abilities of Max make it worthwhile IMHO.
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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sgraber
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| posted on 15/3/04 at 08:14 PM |
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Like this for example. This is 3 sections taken 6" apart on the front of the hood and viewed from the front.
 
Section outline sample
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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ProjectLMP
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| posted on 15/3/04 at 11:31 PM |
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How do you like 3DMax? I have been playing with Solidworks which looks great for modeling parts. However, it isn't exactly what I would call
intuitive when it comes to modelling complex shapes like car bodies. I think it would probably take me as long to model it in solidworks as it would
to produce a physical model. How easy is 3DMax to use? and how much does it cost?
Home of the Astronomicalcost Mid engined LMP project
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tadltd
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| posted on 15/3/04 at 11:46 PM |
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Hats off to you Mr Graber - I know the work that this takes and you are to be fully comended on your efforts. Getting this far alone is NOT easy.
The software you're using looks good, but I know of something that is used for surfacing in the auto industry called 'Rhino'. This
is a highly intuitive program that is available for trial download from the company's web-site. You're allowed to save 20 times before it
blocks you.
It can read all manner of file types, including AutoCAD and seems to be THE new choice for styling professionals over Alias Wavefront. If only I could
remember the company's web-site...!
Still, I'm sure a quick look on Google will throw it up. It may be worth using to get past 'tricky' bits, then saving for use in
your own 3D program?
I'm sure it'll be useful to others, though...
Steve.
P.S. Watch out - it's a BIG download on 56k...
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sgraber
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| posted on 15/3/04 at 11:59 PM |
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Interesting, Ron Tyler and I just had this conversation. (about what software I use)
I can't help you with comparisons to solids modeling programs. I don't have any experience with them. Of the 3D modeling programs I have
used (Maya, Lightwave, MAX, Strata) I always seem to come back to 3DS. I am familiar with the interface, the rendering engine is superlative and the
help and tutorial files are great.
You can download a complete functional version of 3DS Max (30 day timed) from the discreet website at http://www.discreet.com/3dsmax/ Choose
'Free Trial' from the left side menu. Also provided for free are a huge number of tutorials and help files.
MAX is a professional product with a professional sized price tag. $3,500.
Email me off-list for alternatives... <wink>
Steve, you posted while I was typing this up! I was an early adopter of Rhino and used their beta version quite extensively. But I haven't
messed with it in years. I'll be sure to take another look...
[Edited on 3/16/04 by sgraber]
Steve Graber
http://www.grabercars.com/
"Quickness through lightness"
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